LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A plan to allow concealed handguns in churches and other houses of worship was approved by an Arkansas House panel on Thursday after pastors who testified before lawmakers split on whether the idea would make their sanctuaries safer.

The House Judiciary Committee by voice vote endorsed legislation that would leave it up to churches and other houses of worship to decide whether to allow concealed handguns and who could carry them. Of the 49 states that allow some form of concealed handguns, Arkansas is among 10 that specifically prohibit them in churches.

Supporters of the measure framed it as a private property issue rather than a gun rights issue, saying current law doesn't allow churches to make their own decisions about security. The measure, which has already passed the Senate, now heads to the House floor for a vote next week.

"What you have before is simply a question of who gets to make that determination for each church," Nathan Petty, pastor of Beech Grove Baptist Church in Fordyce, told lawmakers. "The question is not is it right or wrong? The question is who has the right to make that decision. This just says that church gets to make that decision."

Past efforts to allow concealed handguns in church have failed, but gun-rights advocates believe they have a better chance to pass this measure and others aimed at loosening Arkansas' firearms restrictions now that Republicans control both chambers of the Legislature. Gov. Mike Beebe, a Democrat, has indicated he'll likely sign the guns-in-church bill into law if it reaches his desk.

Gordon Garlington, pastor of Park Hill Presbyterian Church in North Little Rock, pleaded with the panel to reject the measure.

"Concealed carry in our churches, in the unfortunate event of some kind of violence erupting, could potentially result in not fewer but more people being hurt," Garlington said.

The panel also heard from another pastor who said that if the law passes her insurer would require her to post a sign at the church informing parishioners whether or not it allows concealed weapons. Sen. Bryan King, R-Green Forest, said he would look at later changes to his bill or separate legislation to address that concern.

If the measure is approved by the House, it heads back to the Senate to agree to an amendment adding sponsors before going to Beebe's desk.